Over the past several weeks, my Facebook feed has been bursting with exciting notifications about a new jazz venue just over the river in South Carolina. A jazz club? In Beech Island? I was more than a bit curious. Billed as both a club and restaurant, the concept sounded interesting. Our friend Rob Foster was slated to play on a Friday night with his Quartet, so I went online and visited Vibes and Vines Jazz Lounge for more information.
The FAQ page on their website lists house rules, one rule of which is dressy attire. Dean and I rarely have a need to dress up these days, so we had fun picking our outfits for the evening. Decked out in our finery, we left the house early and took the short drive to Beech Island.
The parking lot began to fill as soon as we got there. Doors opened at 6 p.m., so we got out of the car and followed another couple inside. Once there, we were greeted warmly at the desk and asked for our name on the registration list. One of the staff members walked us to our table and made sure we were comfortable. Immediately, a server stopped by with menus and asked what we’d like to drink. We each ordered a beverage and had a bowl of their delicious tomato bisque soup for an appetizer. It was a perfect selection for that cold night. From there, we ordered dinner and ate along to the jazz sounds being played over a PA system.
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At 7 p.m., the Rob Foster Quartet took the stage and the music began in full force. The band launched into a stunning set list that included “I Told You So” by Detroit’s George Cables. On John Coltrane’s “Afro Blue,” Rob Foster led a wild and intoxicating saxophone-driven rendition that Trane himself would have greatly approved. Next came a jazz standard by Harold Arlen. “My Shining Hour” was a bouncy tune that featured a stunning bass solo by Travis Shaw. Switching gears, the Quartet covered “Corcovado” by Brazil’s legendary Antonio Jobim. The soft bossa nova brought to mind images of strolling on soft sand beaches at midnight. Following that, the Quartet dove headfirst into “Sister Sadie” by Horace Silver, an upbeat jazz tune with a strong blues/funk feel that reminded me of early rockabilly and boogie woogie music. The piano pieces in this song were phenomenal.
If you’ve ever been to one of the Ed Turner & Number 9 shows at the Imperial, you have seen Rob Foster performing in the horn section. The Rob Foster Quartet includes Shannon Pinckney on piano, Travis Shaw on upright bass and Christian Thornton on drums. If you love jazz, I highly recommend catching them at Vibes and Vines the next time they play. Come hungry for good food and great music. You’ll be more than satisfied.
The decor and ambiance at Vibes and Vines makes it a super snazzy little hideaway. The venue reminds me of my favorite Atlanta haunts that I would frequent in the 90s. The elegant atmosphere is inviting and the service stellar.
If you are in the mood for something a bit different, Vibes and Vines offers top quality entertainment paired with a delicious menu in an upscale listening room that caters to your comfort, making it a great reason to dress up and go out. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, either. To make a reservation, pick a show you’d like to see and choose which area of the venue you’d like to reserve. The seats closer to the stage are choice, plush spots to soak in the action and are perfect for a cozy date night. For parties of four, the tables nearest the bar offer an inviting place to socialize over dinner.
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Vibes and Vines, located at 4659 Jefferson Davis Hwy. in Beech Island, sits in an unassuming location tucked between a gas station and a restaurant. If you blink, you might miss it. Be sure to check their schedule each week to see who will be playing. The venue is open 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday nights. Purchase your tickets early to ensure the best seats. Vibes and Vines Jazz Lounge can be found online at https://vibesvines.com. Remember, dress to impress!
Rob Foster will be performing meditative music with percussionist Louis Romanos at the Morris Museum of Art on Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m. The event is free. The duo will be performing works from their latest album, Open Music Meditations, available through Apple Music at the link here: https://music.apple.com/us/album/open-music-meditations/1602761776.
Live music this weekend includes Guns For Hire at Top Dawg Tavern tonight starting at 7 p.m. Also tonight, catch Andrew Jones at Stay. Tap + Table in Evans. Show starts at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Michael Hitchcock Trio performs at Edgar’s Above Broad. Show starts at 7 p.m.
Francie Klopotic is an author, artist and music aficionado living in Augusta. She writes The Night Beat column the first and third Fridays of each month.
